Cold waves hit vineyards in Nashik farmers stop harvest for five days

  • | Monday | 11th February, 2019

"Vineyards were in harvest stage, but the farmers have stopped grape harvest. Moreover, the extreme cold in the grape belts has also slowed the grape harvest. The cold waves continued on Sunday, which recorded the minimum temperature at 5 degree C.The minimum temperature in Niphad dropped to 3 degree C on Saturday, as against 6 degree C on Friday. NASHIK: The extreme cold condition in grape growing belts of the district like Niphad and Dindori has badly affected the vineyards. Farmers also fear that the export quality grapes may also get affected due to the weather conditions.The minimum temperature of Nashik city suddenly dropped by 5.8 degree C on Saturday, settling down at 4 degree C, as against 9.8 degree C on Friday.

NASHIK: The extreme cold condition in grape growing belts of the district like Niphad and Dindori has badly affected the vineyards. Many grape growers from the district have reported cracking of fruit.As the cold affects the growth of sugar ingredients in the fruit, grape growers in the district have stopped harvest. Farmers also fear that the export quality grapes may also get affected due to the weather conditions.The minimum temperature of Nashik city suddenly dropped by 5.8 degree C on Saturday, settling down at 4 degree C, as against 9.8 degree C on Friday. The cold waves continued on Sunday, which recorded the minimum temperature at 5 degree C.The minimum temperature in Niphad dropped to 3 degree C on Saturday, as against 6 degree C on Friday. The growth of berries gets affected if the minimum temperature goes below 6 degree C and fruits get cracked if it the minimum temperature goes below 4 degree C.The major grape harvest season begins from February, but the grape season has been at stake due to sudden drop in minimum temperature. The grapes in vineyards, which are ready for harvest, are likely to develop cracks.Officials say that they have received reports of the fruit developing cracks, however, it will take at least one more week to access the damage completely.Manik Patil, office-bearer of Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh, an association of grape growers, said, "The cold wave condition in North Maharashtra has already caused the demand for grapes to reduce as no one eats grapes during cold. Moreover, the extreme cold in the grape belts has also slowed the grape harvest."Vineyards were in harvest stage, but the farmers have stopped grape harvest. "We won't harvest the produce till at least next five days. Extreme cold affects the growth and size of the fruit, said a grape grower Ashwin Bhosle.With the drop in minimum temperature, grape farmers have started taking various measures like giving water through drip irrigation, creating bonfires and wrapping bunches of fruits to protect from cold.Total grape plantation in the district is spread on nearly 2 lakh acres. Niphad and Dindori talukas comprise 80% of the total grape plantation in the district.

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